Fixture support for membrane roof

Abstract

A method for supporting one or more fixtures on a membrane-covered roof comprises steps of (a) forming one or more brackets coated each on at least one surface with a material compatible for heat welding to roofing membrane, (b) cutting a piece of roofing membrane, separate from the membrane of the membrane-covered roof, the cut piece of roofing membrane having a length and width substantially greater than dimensions of the one or more brackets, (c) joining the one or more brackets by heat welding to the cut piece of roofing membrane, leaving substantial overhanging projection of the cut piece of roofing membrane from the one or more bracket in every direction from the one or more brackets, and (d) heat welding the cut piece of roofing membrane to the membrane of the membrane-covered roof, thereby securing the one or more brackets to the membrane-covered roof.

The invention claimed is: 
     
       1. A method for supporting one or more fixtures on a membrane-covered roof, comprising steps:
 (a) forming one or more brackets to interface with and secure the one or more fixtures, the one or more brackets coated each on at least one surface with a material compatible for heat welding to roofing membrane; 
 (b) cutting a piece of roofing membrane, separate from membrane of the membrane-covered roof, the cut piece of roofing membrane having a length and width substantially greater than dimensions of the one or more brackets; 
 (c) joining the one or more brackets by heat welding to the cut piece of roofing membrane, leaving substantial overhanging projection of the cut piece of roofing membrane from the one or more bracket in every direction from the one or more brackets; and 
 (d) heat welding the cut piece of roofing membrane to the membrane of the membrane-covered roof, thereby securing the one or more brackets to the membrane-covered roof. 
 
     
     
       2. The method of  claim 1  wherein the cut piece of roofing membrane is one of Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC), Ketone Ethylene Ester (KEE), Chloro-Sulfonated Polyethylene (CSPE), Ethylene Propylene Diene Monomer (EPDM), Thermoplastic PolyOlefin (TPO) or other membrane roofing material. 
     
     
       3. The method of  claim 1  wherein the one or more brackets are fabricated of galvanized steel sheet metal pre-coated with material heat-weldable to the cut piece of roofing membrane. 
     
     
       4. The method of  claim 1  wherein the cut piece of membrane is from the material used in the membrane roofing. 
     
     
       5. A method for supporting one or more fixtures on a membrane-covered roof, the fixture having a number of fastener elements in a pattern for mounting the fixture to a surface, comprising steps:
 (a) forming a plurality of brackets equal to the number of fastener elements, to interface with and secure the one or more fixtures, the plurality of brackets coated each on at least one surface with a material compatible for heat welding to roofing membrane; 
 (b) cutting a piece of roofing membrane, separate from membrane of the membrane-covered roof, the cut piece of roofing membrane having a length and width substantially greater than dimensions of the pattern; 
 (c) joining the plurality of brackets in the pattern by heat welding to the cut piece of roofing membrane, leaving substantial overhanging projection of the cut piece of roofing membrane from the plurality of brackets in every direction from the plurality of brackets; and 
 (d) heat welding the cut piece of roofing membrane to the membrane of the membrane-covered roof, thereby providing a pattern of brackets for mounting the fixture to the membrane-covered roof.